DPD announces new crimes unit in wake of ATM thefts

The Dallas Police Department has announced a new major crimes unit task force following 20 ATM thefts and attempted thefts in the month of January.

Police are taking some officers from the Metro unit and the Organized Retail Theft units to create the new major crimes unit to work on what they call organized serial property crimes, like the ATM jobs.

While there have been 20 ATM incidents, police say the bad actors have only been successful twice.

Most attempts have taken place between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. all over town.

There aren't any patterns except for opportunity -- the suspects steal a truck or van about two days before they pull a caper.

This is not the first time that the DPD has dealt with a run on ATMs – in 2013, the same thing happened.

Sixty people were arrested at that time, forty of which are still in jail.

Police are also encouraging businesses to invest in high-quality video systems that can capture images inside and out of their businesses, along with high-powered lighting.

Police released a picture Tuesday of an ATM theft suspect, which is the most they've had to go on since the ATM thefts began earlier this month.

The major crimes unit has its own phone number: 214-671-3322.

Police say it will be answered by a person, not a voicemail, 24/7.

There is reward money on the table if a tip leads to an arrest and indictment.